I especially like the Link-esque, spin sword like a helicoptor rotor to hit multiple enemies attack. Even with a heavier blade, thrusting is going to do more damage than chopping or slashing. It's not an axe, nor is it a bludgeon. Poke people with it, like Temjin does!
With smaller blades, thrusts and the like are more effective, as you have more control over the blade, I imagine. With heavy swords, I'd think that you need to cover as much space with a blow as possible to avoid wasting energy with additional movement of the blade. Plus, inertia would leave you more open with thrusts, wouldn't it?
Yeah. A deeper wound is nastier than a longer wound. Besides it not like you are going to chop the guy in half with a slice. You might get your blade stuck under his arm or something though. And it's easier to pierce armor with a thrust than with a slice, though I guess in her case, armor is omitted for some reason.